The O-K Silver Conference volleyball championship so often comes down to Hopkins and Grandville Calvin Christian.
The two perennial contenders met for a dual match Thursday night that looked every bit as much as days gone by, but the homesteading Squires prevailed in a five-set nail-biter.
Calvin won the first match 25-21, but the Vikings came back to take games two and three 25-18 and 25-20. The Squires were staying alive in the fourth, avoiding defeat by taking a 25-22 decision and then they took the rubber match 15-8.
So it was close, but no cigar for Hopkins. However, it should be remembered that a year ago the Vikings lost in their regular season contest and came back to win the title in the conference meet.
Katie Cleypool had 12 kills for the evening, Kylee Sykes added eight, Reid Groenhout seven and Alison Williams five. Kylee Sykes dished out 21 assists, Ellie Sebright came up with 14 digs and Ava Vanderkolk added 10.
It was Hopkins’ first dual match loss in league play after four victories. The team, now 14-10-3 overall, will take on Comstock Park at home next week.
